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WEDNESDAY
1. TBASA's Lo-Fi All Stars #81
A night of lo-fi musicians hand-picked by Tbasa of Substation, featuring Wynne C Blue, Mike Spine, Jeremy Serwer, Nate Manuel, Whisperer, and The Z-Man.
2. If These Trees Could Talk, Driftoff, Spotlights, X Suns
Post-metal ambivalents If These Trees Could Talk spread their loud instrumental apathy at Highline, with Driftoff, Spotlights, and X Suns.
3. The Great Soul of Russia
Learn about how, in theater, "all roads lead to Chekhov" through the fifth season of the staged reading series The Great Soul of Russia.
WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY
4. Sweet Dreams: The Music of Patsy Cline
Celebrate iconic singer Patsy Cline on her 84th birthday with an evening of "sweet dreams," or covers and inspired-originals of the queen herself from local admiring musicians like Pacific Northwest singer-songwriters V. Contreras, Star Anna, Kristen Ward, Kim Virant, Mackenzie Mercer, Jennifer Hopper, and Jessica Lynne, along with musicians Rebecca Young, William Stover, Aaron O'Neil, Jason Goessi, and Country Dave Harmonson.
WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY
5. The Art of the Brick
Artist Nathan Sawaya's The Art of the Brick (one of CNN's top 10 "Global Must-See Exhibitions") is the largest artistic display made of LEGOs ever, using only the colors and shapes available to kids in their dinky home sets. See recreations and sculptural representations of visual art classics like Starry Night, Mona Lisa, and The Scream.
THURSDAY
6. Phobia, Nomads, Columbian Necktie, Wilt
There’s nothing pretty about Phobia. In fact, to the untrained ear, a typical Phobia song might just sound like audio diarrhea. For 26 years now, they’ve been blasting out raw, pure and unfiltered grindcore—fast, angry, loud, and real. This show will be no exception, as you will be treated to a couple dozen 30-second songs played at an inhumane volume. Be sure to catch LA-based punks Nomads, whose recently released LP Love It or Leave It is a ferocious breath of fresh air among the overproduced landscape of modern hardcore. Embrace the insanity and grind your mind. KEVIN DIERS
7. Share the Cupcake Love with NCLR
In June, Cupcake Royale raised $8,000 by selling their "Gay cupcakes" and merchandise printed with the slogan "Make America Gay Again." To celebrate, they'll present a check to the National Center of Lesbian Rights (NCLR)—and hand out free Babygay cupcakes to attendees.
8. David Williams
The local hills and waterways that you know and love aren't as natural as they look. Seattle has been redrawn and rebuilt; remnants of the old city lurk underneath our streets, and the topography itself has changed dramatically with human intervention. Learn more about the history and impact of these interventions with author David B. Williams, who will speak about Seattle's changing landscape and his book, Too High and Too Steep.
9. Star Trek 50th Anniversary Night
Can it really be? Have 50 years truly passed since Gene Roddenberry invented our future? Toast the soaringly optimistic vision of Star Trek's post-terrestrial, post-nuclear, pre-political-correctness universe with the good folks at Central Cinema.
10. Star Trek 50 Celebration
Another of the many Seattle events paying tribute to the best TV series ever, this celebration offers basic Klingon lessons, Star Trek drink specials (such as the "James Tea Kirk"), Tribble toss, and continuous clips from the episodes on the Sky Church screen. They say: "$5 off general EMP/Star Trek combo admission to any fan who says 'Beam Me Up' at the front ticketing counter," but the event itself is free with museum admission.
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
11. The Art of the Tarot: A Group Exhibit
This exhibit will feature "Tarot, Oracle, and Divination decks" alongside framed originals, prints, giclées, etchings, and more by dozens of artists. At the opening reception, Joyride Tarot will provide live Tarot readings.
12. Pirates and Saints
In Pirates and Saints, watch the Prohibition-era exploits of an Irish sea captain and his adopted son.
FRIDAY
13. 5th Annual Bob's Bowl-a-Rama
Support children with cancer in honor of Charles "Bob" Hirsch, a member of the community who loved to bowl and drink beer. The price tag gets up to eight participants a lane, bowling shoes, and Georgetown Brewing beer tickets.
14. Phoenix Party in Greenwood
Celebrate the heroes who stepped in after the Greenwood explosion ("first responders, volunteers, donors, neighbors, artists, business owners and patrons who helped local residents, businesses, and employees recover from the effects of the blast") at this party that promises bites from the Mr. Gyros food truck, live art with Crowd Control, a family activity with Seattle Recreative, and performances by Billy Brandt and The Thing & the Stuff Band, and dj nicfit.
15. Ukulele Road Show
The Ukulele Road Show features three popular uke duos: Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel, The Quiet American with Aaron & Nicole Keim, and Kate Power & Steve Einhorn. These entertainers all tour nationally and will perform both as duos and solo acts for this tour.
16. Stuporhero, Green Cross, Lux Fontaine
Glass-shard candy-punks Stuporhero break out their patented fervor rock with Green Cross and Lux Fontaine at the Skylark.
17. Bootie Seattle: Beyonce vs Rihanna
Seattle's only all-mashup dance party throws down for an all-out diva battle by paying tribute to the first ladies of pop and R&B, Beyonce and Rihanna.
18. Mortuary Drape, Dispirit, Black Fucking Cancer, Hexenslaught
Italy’s Mortuary Drape sound creepy, and have since the 1980s. They took a decade to record their latest full-length, 2014’s Spiritual Independence, but the long hiatus did nothing to blunt their occult death-metal edge. Death metal draws inspiration from horror films, and Mortuary Drape are no different, but while their American counterparts were chopping up girls at summer camp, these Italians drew from their country’s rich history of sophisticated, creepy, and beautiful (though no less bloody) horror films. Better, they’re tight as a drum even 30 years after releasing their first demo. JOSEPH SCHAFER
19. Wednesday 13, One-Eyed Doll, The Things They Carried, I Am Infamy
Get ready for a monster fest of gothic proportion with murder noir thrash enthusiast Wednesday 13, One-Eyed Doll, The Things They Carried, and I Am Infamy.
20. FHTAGN and Working Title (Lite)
"Maximalist improvisation & game orchestra" FHTAGN will rotate through their 30-plus member group to perform an exploration in sonic conduction, while Working Title, a chordless quintet, presents new original music influenced by Ornette Coleman’s early work.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
21. For Love & Money: The Artist's DilemmaWatch burlesque, from famous acts to passion projects, performed by Violet Tendencies, Stella D'Letto, Seraphina Fiero and Kutie La Bootie with special guests Iva Handfull and Miss Elaine Yes; hosted by Ernie Von Schmaltz and Elsa Von Schmaltz. Presented by Stripped Screw Burlesque and produced in association with Theatre Off Jackson.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
22. Choreographic Shindig
Celebrate emerging talents in dance and choreography with the annual Whim W'Him Choreographic Shindig—where the performers get to choose their choreographer. This time, see new works by Austin Diaz and Jonathan Campbell from MADBOOTS Dance in NYC, Joseph Hernandez from Germany, and Lauren Edson, a former Trey McIntyer Project dancer based in Idaho.
23. Puget Sound Bird Fest
When even a major city like Seattle is a constant theater of interesting bird behavior (keep an eye on those crows), it's no surprise that the wilder areas of Puget Sound are a birdwatcher's Elysium. The Bird Festival in Edmonds will, for example, introduce you to the great-blue-heron-rich salt marsh, the Cascades Loop Birding Trail, and the Edmonds Marina. Embark on a guided walk, or even a cruise for a little extra, and attend lectures like the fascinatingly-titled When the Tide Washes In: A Natural History of Dead Birds.
24. The Royale
From Marco Ramirez (Sons of Anarchy and Orange is the New Black) comes this show that's loosely based on the life of Jack Johnson, a boxer during the Jim Crow era who became "the most famous and most notorious black man on earth," and that's set in a boxing ring.
SATURDAY
25. Night Market and Autumn Moon Festival
This night market is mostly about food, and will host more than 30 food trucks and offer chances to try bites from local booths and restaurants. But in addition to the nosh, they'll also have other handmade goods, fresh cut flowers, and live music and dance from local groups.
26. Dockside Cannabis SoDo One Year Anniversary Party
Dockside's SoDo location is turning one, and to celebrate they're having a big old party, complete with "live music, food trucks, stoned yoga sessions, a planetarium yurt, over $1,000 in prizes, and much, much more!" “This party is our way of giving thanks for this one amazing year and we hope to celebrate many more!” says Maria Moses, one of Dockside's three owners. To that end, they're offering 20% off everything in the store. Other cool things they will have: Jamaican, Filipino, and Bluebird Ice Cream food trucks; a bouncy house; henna tattoos; a glassblowing demo; vendor meet and greets; and a goddamn planetarium yurt! Of the yurt, writes Dockside's PR dude Colin Bishop, "I have no idea what to expect." Neither do I, but it's gonna be amazeballs. TOBIAS COUGHLIN-BOGUE
27. Prophets of Rage
This year seems like a tough time for Tom Morello: Half-brained reality TV stars masquerade as legitimate politicians in the headlines every day, and unbelievable crimes are being committed against civilians around the globe on an accelerating basis—and the lead singer of your ultra-rocking ’90s protest-rock band won’t tour with you. Having recruited Cypress Hill’s B-Real and Public Enemy’s Chuck D—from whose 1988 song Prophets of Rage take their name—to fill in for Zack de la Rocha, Morello and the remaining members of Rage Against the Machine have been performing Rage songs, in addition to Cypress Hill and PE classics on tour. The new group’s intent, as Morello told Rolling Stone, “to confront this mountain of election year bullshit,” is as admirable as ever, but without de la Rocha, the band is a bit like a snake without its teeth. TODD HAMM
28. School of Rock: Motörhead vs Girlschool
Obviously Motörhead need no introduction, and I can only DREAM of how kickass School of Rock’s take on Lemmy and his hairy band of yobs is gonna turn out, but Girlschool, too? HELL YEAH! I’m impressed SoR is acknowledging Girlschool, as they aren’t often given a nod for their place as an important New Wave of British Heavy Metal group—or even that back in late 1979 Girlschool and Motörhead were connected. In fact, they were so connected that some writers at the time called Girlschool the “sisters of Motörhead.” Anyway, as the two bands had an occasional dual performance, I’d expect a finale of both groups on stage bashing out a version of “Please Don’t Touch” or perhaps even “Bomber.” MIKE NIPPER
29. Feel The Pain: A Dinosaur Jr. Tribute Show
Feel the tangible legacy of J. Mascis with this evening's tribute to weirdo rock icons Dinosaur Jr., thanks to bands like Actual Years, Sleepwalk Citizens, Made of Boxes, and many more.
30. Rapture
Oh sure, you've been to more than your share of drag shows with lip-synching and wigs and princess gloves. But where are the fringed monsters, the viscous fluids, and the couture that you initially mistake for a pile of abandoned construction equipment? After you've kick-started your weird Saturday with Cucci's Critter Barn, stick around for Rapture, a brand-new night hosted by unidentified frocking object Arson Nicki. Expect to see the avantest of the avant-garde creatures, peculiar performances, and a runway that may double as a portal to the Negaverse. You will be unable to forget any of what you see—or to make anyone believe that it happened. MATT BAUME
31. Soul Pose
Is your workout missing a little psychedelia? Add a little body paint, a little blacklight, a little music, lots of confetti, and you'll think you've entered a healthier version of your college roommate's glow-in-the-dark wall art. Or maybe just Lisa Frank's REM cycle.
32. FHC Presents Vietnam Day
The Flying Heritage Collection will unveil its F-105G Thunderchief jet fighter aircraft to the public, accompanied by a '60s cover band and lots of activities for the kids. Take the tots to meet the pilots, who may disabuse them of the idea that the decade was all about monumental hairdos and groovy music, since half of F-105s were lost over Southeast Asia. Y'know, war.
33. Arts-a-Glow
The days are beginning to darken, and we fight back the only way we know how: gorgeous lantern parties in the park! Make your own lantern out of whatever you like, dress up, eat, and prolong the magic of sunset. There will be Klezmer and East Indian music, trapeze artists, belly dancing, and more in this dreamy melange.
34. The SF Hunt x Seattle
Can your app-based hunting skills net you more than a Pokemon? The SF Hunt sets small groups of puzzle-hunters on a race to solve riddles, gain points, and win prizes. Travel by foot, bike, or public transport in order to qualify for the grand prize. They say: "Costumes are STRONGLY encouraged."
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
35. The Odd Plant Show and Sale
They ask, "Why get euphoric over euphorbia?" We'll tell you why: euphorbia looks like a space cabbage vulva and it is cool. The Cascade Cactus and Succulent Society will explain it better, we hope. Take home some of these plump or prickly babies for your own living cabinet of wonders. Sept 10-11.
SUNDAY
36. Nearly Dan
Cover enthusiasts Nearly Dan play a set of Steely Dan classics (so really anything from Aja) with a full 12-piece band well-versed in jazz, R&B, blues, and rock traditions at the ready.
37. Open Space Edition 9
A brief evening interlude of laying on the floor to contemplative music by candlelight, thanks to the dulcet tones of Dave Chapaitis from Made of Boxes. BYOCushionsPillows&Blankets, and be sure to silence your phones, shut your mouths, and take off those loud shoes you're always wearing.
38. Elevator Presents Moor Mother, Jenny Zhang, Slow Drips, Prius
Philadelphia’s Moor Mother (aka Camae Defstar) helpfully categorizes her music “blk girl blues, witch rap, coffee shop riot gurl songs, southern girl dittys, black ghost songs.” Um, yeah. In other words, she’s one of the few musicians today doing something unique. Imagine Death Grips collaborating with a punkier Grace Jones, and then being remixed by Actress or Hype Williams, to get a rough idea where Moor Mother is coming from. It’s wonderfully disorienting. Seattle’s Slow Drips conjure nightmarish glitchscapes of distorted voices, chilling, slushy ambience, and an overall sense of tonal/structural subversion. Perhaps ingest some fungus for their set and make a great experiment out of your mind. DAVE SEGAL
39. Roots & Soul Sunday with Mista Chatman
Roots & Soul Sunday is a new possibly monthly music night at Chop Suey with well-regarded host Mista Chatman (aka DJ Collage) who has been known to serve up installations of "weekly adrenaline enhancing through the prism of vintage and new Jamaican-based music: dancehall, roots reggae, and dub" (Dave Segal, 2011). This new iteration is birthed from the ashes of his long-running "Reggae on Rainier" series, and will feature live reggae and urban soul performances from The Juice Band, the Cutz, and Mista Chatman himself.
40. 6th Annual Heirloom TomatoFare
Thanks to the munificence of nature, free-radical-busting and skin-elasticizing lycopene comes in a juicy, delicious red package. TomatoFare features delicacies like "saffron tomato braised Spanish octopus with Sun Gold tomato gazpacho" and tomato spa treatments.
